Novation 61 Sl Mk3 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Novation's 61 Sl Mk3 is a fantastically adaptable midi keyboard that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the 61 Sl Mk3.

Article Contents

Does the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the 61 Sl Mk3 to ableton
How to midi map the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the 61 Sl Mk3
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 is usable with Ableton Live.

The 61 Sl Mk3 is pre-programmed with a midi remote script in Ableton Live, so all you have to do is connect it (refer to the information below on how to do that).

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the 61 Sl Mk3 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live's components with your 61 Sl Mk3.

Does the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 come with ableton Live included?

The 61 Sl Mk3 includes a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite, but its available features are not as extensive as those in Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of sounds, in comparison to Standard's 10GB.

Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.

How to connect the 61 Sl Mk3 to ableton

Linking the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the 61 Sl Mk3 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the 61 Sl Mk3 and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the 61 Sl Mk3 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the 61 Sl Mk3 are checked.
4. Ensure that the ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are all checked.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the 61 Sl Mk3 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The 61 Sl Mk3 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Novation 61 Sl Mk3 to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the 61 Sl Mk3, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the 61 Sl Mk3.
5. Moving the physical control on your 61 Sl Mk3 will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.

The Limitations of midi mapping the 61 Sl Mk3

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your 61 Sl Mk3, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your 61 Sl Mk3 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your 61 Sl Mk3 can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your 61 Sl Mk3, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool 'Control Surface Studio' is exactly what you need!
With it, you'll be able to:
- save and re-use your 61 Sl Mk3's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your 61 Sl Mk3,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your 61 Sl Mk3, than Live's internal midi mapping mode allows.

Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Why can't I hear my 61 Sl Mk3 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the 61 Sl Mk3 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the 61 Sl Mk3 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the 61 Sl Mk3.
4. Make sure that the 61 Sl Mk3 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.